Why did Xerxes want to conquer Greece?

Answer 1

He wanted to increase the wealth of Persia, he wanted glory, and revenge.

-------------------------------

It all began when the Greeks helped the Ionions revolt, which resulted in the destruction of the Persian city of Sardis. Darius the Great swore revenge, ordered his satrap to attack Greece, but failed. Darius took the task upon himself, but soon died. His son, Xerxes the Great, continued his father's plan.

It is important to note that Xerxes did NOT want to conquer Greece. After the Persian victory at the Battle of Thermopylae, Athens was abandoned and "conquered" by the Persians, but Xerxes decided to burn it to the ground in revenge for what the Greeks did to Sardis (although soon after, Xerxes regretted what he had done and rebuilt the city), and thereafter soon left Greece.

Answer 2

His father Darius had planned to do it to bring the Greek city-states under control as their endless fighting was spilling over into the Persian Empire. An expedition to bring troublemakers Eretria and Athens under control had failed at Marathon, so Darius planned a full-scale action, however this was delayed by a revolt in Egypt, then Darius died. His son Xerxes took on the project.

Answer 3

The put them under control of a Persian provincial governor tostop their endless wars spilling over into his empire.